Patent · US Active

Surgical instrument assembly comprising a lockable articulation system

US10117649B2 · kind B2 · utility

1,293Cited by

2,778References

11Claims

0Family size

Assignee

Ethicon, Inc. · US

Inventors

Chester O. Baxter, III · Loveland, US
Adam R. Dunki-Jacobs · Cincinnati, US
Jeffrey S. Swayze · Hamilton, US
Daniel L. Baber · West Chester, US
Frederick E. Shelton, IV · Hillsboro, US

Key dates

Filing date	Dec 18, 2014
Grant date	Nov 6, 2018
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Nov 1, 2036

Classification

Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
CPC primaryA61B2017/2937
WIPO fieldMedical technology
WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A surgical stapling apparatus is disclosed which comprises a shaft, an end effector, and an articulation joint, wherein the end effector is rotatable relative to the shaft about the articulation joint. The stapling apparatus further comprises a firing drive responsive to an input, an articulation drive, and a switch assembly configured to selectively couple the articulation drive to the input. The switch assembly is configured to lock the articulation drive in position when the articulation drive is not coupled to the input.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.